“Truly Disheartening”

-Alexander Cummings Breaks Silence Over Violence That Marred CPP’s Primary In Nimba

Reuben Sei Waylaun

The Chairman of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), Alexander Benedict Cummings has described as ‘truly disheartening’ a bloody violence that marred the CPP’s primary in Sanniquellie, Nimba County.

The CPP is a conglomeration of four leading opposition political parties in Liberia. They include the Alternative National Congress (ANC of Alexander Cummings), All Liberian Party (ALP of Benoni Urey), Unity Party (UP of Joseph Boakai) and Liberty Party (LP of Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence).

The primary in Nimba was between former Nimba County Superintendent Edith Gongloe-Weh of the Liberty Party and Taa Wongbe of the Alternative National Congress for delegates to elect who represents the CPP in the impending senatorial elections.

However, the primary turned bloody with several delegates sustaining injuries and properties damaged resulting from stones throwing. The situation was brought under control with Edith Gongloe-Weh of the Liberty Party winning with a total vote of 127 and Taa Wongbe of the Alternative National Congress obtaining 6.

Following the violent situation, the Chairman of the CPP and political leader of the ANC, Alexander Cummings expressed disappointment; terming it as ‘truly disheartening”

Chairman Cummings said “We have begun a long and difficult journey of trying to transform our country.  As noted, the process of doing so will be long and difficult, but I am determined to help see it through.” 

“The situation in Nimba yesterday was truly disheartening. We, as the CPP, cannot claim to be different and act the same.  Violence is never the solution and will not be the solution in the CPP.  We cannot conduct ourselves in such a manner and expect to win the confidence of the Liberian people. We must do things differently, and as I consistently say and quote, “we can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results.”  What happened in Nimba reflects exactly that – doing the same old things the same old ways and expecting different results,” Cummings said in his official Facebook post early Monday morning September 7, 2020. 

The ANC political leader said “As a Political Leader of the ANC and current Chair of the CPP, it is unacceptable to have had an executive of the ANC or any constituent party badly injured as a result of the violence. Taa Wongbe also incurred damage to his vehicle during the process.” 

“Everyone deserves to be given a chance to participate in the primary process in a safe, free, and fair environment.  That did not happen,” he added. 

According to Cummings, the ANC considers the situation grave and serious, and its leadership will meet to decide the way forward. FIU Orders Lonestar Cell MTN To Halt Mobile Money Services The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Liberia has with immediate effect ordered the Lonestar Cell MTN Mobile Money Services, to put a halt to its new product, which is the International Remittance Service as it poses huge threats to countering money laundering and terrorist financing in Liberia. A letter dated September 2, 2020 addressed to the Telecommunications company with the Central Bank of Liberia copied, the FIU stated that after review of documents sent by Lonestar MTN about a new product, it has come with the conclusion that the company lacks the capacity to detect and report incidence of money laundering and terrorist financing activities. The letter was signed for and received by a staff of the company, Aarona S. Dahn. “After review of the risk assessment document presented by the Lonestar MTN Mobile Money management, it was observed that the product among other things could provide easy means for criminal exploiting the financial system of Liberia using the international remittance service of the Lonestar MTN Mobile Money platform to continue unobserved.” Also, the FIU says it is halting the Lonestar MTN mobile money, International Remittance service on another count that, the letter of approval received from the CBL for amendment to the company for its new product was ‘solely’ signed by a middle level staff and not the Executive Governor or any certified copy sent to his office. When contacted about the issue, the management of LoneStar Cell MTN did not comment. However, for the telecommunications company to go ahead with it international remittance service, the FIU is urging them [Lonestar] to put the following in place: That Lonestar Cell MTN conducts a holistic risk assessment (using Anti Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorist experts) on current local mobile money products and proposed new product. That the Anti Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terriorist program at the company be examined and tested by AML/CFT experts That results/reports be presented to the FIU for review authentication The press statement from the FIU is however warning that until the company Mobile Money services can meet all of the deficiencies identified by the FIU, they are not allow in keeping with section 67.5. 1 of the Financial Intelligence Unit Act of 2012 to carry out international remittance service in Liberia as the product remains a convenient vehicle for money laundering and terrorist financing activities in Liberia. “The Lonestar Mobile Money Services is hereby warned to adhere to this order as contrary to this order will see specific actions for violation and non-compliance against Lonestar MTN Mobile Money Services.” Meanwhile, the FIU has embarked on the inspection of Reporting Entities for compliance with all Anti-Money Laundering laws and regulations. The exercise will cover both facilities of Reporting Entities in and outside of Monrovia. Selfless humility